Antinociceptive activity of aqueous extract and isolated compounds of Lithrea molleoides

Lithrea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine in South America.

In the present study, the in vivo antinociceptive effect of L. molleoides' aqueous extract and its isolated compounds has been investigated.

Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through writhing, formalin and hot plate tests in mice. The phytochemical analysis was performed.

The extract produced significant inhibition on nociception induced by acetic acid (ED50: 8.7 mg/kg, i.p.) and formalin (ED50: 7.7 mg/kg, i.p.) administered intraperitoneally and also orally. Yohimbine diminished the activity of the extract in the acetic acid test meanwhile haloperidol enhanced its effect. Two majority compounds, shikimic and vanillic acid were active in chemical nociceptive models used in this work, producing the highest inhibition of the writhing response at a dose of 30 mg/kg i.p. (55.4% and 57.1%, respectively) meanwhile at 100 mg/kg p.o. produced a slight response (23.3% and 23.9%, respectively).

These results suggest that L. molleoides' aqueous extract produced antinociception possibly related to the presence of shikimic and vanillic acid. The adrenergic and dopaminergic systems seem to be involved in the mechanism of antinociception of the extract.